Quick Service Guide 507a
Additional Services
Business Reply Mail (BRM)

January 2006
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Overview

For an annual permit fee, a business reply mail (BRM) permit is available for distributing business reply cards, envelopes, self-mailers, cartons, and labels. BRM allows the permit holder to receive First-Class Mail and Priority Mail back from customers by paying postage only on the mail returned. The BRM permit holder guarantees payment of First-Class Mail postage plus a per piece charge for pieces returned by the USPS (see payment options below). When designing a BRM mailpiece or label, mailers must consult with their local post office. The piece must conform to a specific format to qualify as BRM, including a unique ZIP+4 code assigned by the USPS. Proofs for regular BRM should be approved by the USPS before printing. Proofs for Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) must be approved by the USPS. On the reverse is a layout example for a BRM envelope. BRM pieces distributed in automation rate mailings are required to meet automation compatibility standards. BRM templates are available on the Postal Explorer web site at pe.usps.com by selecting "mailpiece design" in the left frame.

Payment Options (507.8)

Basic BRM—Annual permit fee of $160.

Per piece charge of $0.65 plus First-Class Mail postage. Paid through an advance deposit account or by cash/check on delivery.

Cost per piece

First-Class postage + 65�
Letter (1 oz.) 39� + 65� = 1.04�
Card Rate 24� + 65� = 89�

High-Volume BRM—Annual permit fee ($160) plus a BRM annual accounting fee of $500 for each account at each delivery unit.

Per piece charge of $0.11 plus First-Class Mail postage. Paid through an advance deposit account. Best suited if return volume is approximately 950 pieces or more per year.

Cost per piece

First-Class postage + 11�
Letter (1 oz.) 39� + 11� = 50�
Card Rate 24� + 11� = 35�

Basic Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM)—Annual permit fee ($160) plus a BRM annual accounting fee of $500.

Per piece charge of $0.06 plus a lower QBRM automation First-Class Mail postage rate. Paid through an advance deposit account. Used only on barcoded automation-compatible cards and letter-size mail weighing up to 2 ounces if design is approved for QBRM by USPS before distribution (507.8.3). A unique ZIP+4 code is assigned by the USPS for each rate category of QBRM to be returned (one for card-rate pieces, one for letter-size pieces weighing 1 ounce or less, and one for letter-size pieces weighing over 1 ounce up to 2 ounces). Best suited if return volume is approximately 805 pieces or more annually.

Cost per piece

QBRM postage + 6�
Letter (1 oz.) 35.8� + 6� = 41.8�
Card Rate 21.1� + 6� = 27.1�

High Volume QBRM—Annual permit fee ($160) and a BRM annual accounting fee ($500) and separate quarterly fee of $1,900. Mailers can pay quarterly fee for any consecutive 3-calendar month period. Per piece charge $0.008 plus lower QBRM automation First-Class Mail postage rate. Paid through an advanced deposit account . Best suited if return volume is approximately 36,450 pieces or more quarterly.

Cost per piece

QBRM postage + 0.8�
Letter (1 oz.) 35.8� + 0.8� = 36.6�
Card Rate 21.1� + 0.8� = 21.9�

Other Post Offices

A BRM permit holder can allow its authorized representatives or agents to use that permit number to receive BRM at any other post office. The original permit holder must supply the representative with a letter authorizing the use of the BRM permit and a copy of the USPS receipt showing the annual fee payment for that permit. See 507.8.11 for additional requirements.

Official Mail

Authorized users of official mail may distribute BRM, subject to 703.7.11 and 507.8.

For the specific DMM standards applicable to this category of mail, consult the DMM sections referenced above and the general sections within each DMM module.

Business Reply Mail Layout Guidelines (507.8.8)

This guide is an overview only. For the specific DMM standards applicable to this category of mail, consult the DMM sections referenced above and the general sections within each DMM module.

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